Multi-Enzyme Electrochemical Sensor for Multi-Analyte Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing analyte sensors are limited to detecting a single analyte, requiring multiple sensors for multi-analyte monitoring, which is inconvenient, costly, and prone to individual sensor failure, with challenges in membrane permeability complicating multi-analyte analyses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of multiple enzymes in a single analyte sensor, with tailored membrane permeability and enzyme configurations for independent or concerted detection of multiple analytes, reducing the need for multiple sensors and enhancing stability with stabilizers like catalase and albumin.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate analyte sensors are used to detect multiple analytes, then each analyte can be detected with specific enzyme analysis, but the device complexity, cost, and risk of sensor failure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple analyte sensing capabilities into a single sensor device. The sensor includes a working electrode with multiple active areas, where each active area contains a different enzyme specific to a particular analyte. This merging approach allows simultaneous detection of multiple analytes (e.g., glucose, lactate, ketones) in one device, reducing the number of separate sensors needed while maintaining analytical specificity through enzyme-based recognition at each active area.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor device is designed with multi-functionality to detect various analytes using a single platform. The working electrode incorporates multiple active areas with different enzymes (e.g., glucose oxidase, lactate oxidase, ketone oxidase), enabling the same sensor to perform multiple analytical functions. This universal design allows one sensor to replace multiple specialized sensors, simplifying the overall system while preserving the ability to specifically detect each analyte type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate analyte sensors are used, then comprehensive multi-analyte monitoring is achieved, but the cost burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple analyte detection functions into a single manufactured device. By integrating multiple active areas with different enzymes on one working electrode, the sensor achieves comprehensive multi-analyte monitoring capability. This consolidation reduces the total number of sensors that need to be manufactured, stocked, and distributed, thereby lowering overall manufacturing costs and making the technology more accessible.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor employs a universal design that enables a single device to monitor multiple analytes simultaneously. This multi-functional approach increases adaptability and versatility, allowing the same sensor platform to be used for detecting glucose, lactate, ketones, and other analytes depending on the enzyme configuration, thus providing cost-effective comprehensive monitoring without requiring multiple specialized sensors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate analyte sensors are used, then complete analyte profile is obtained, but the opportunity for sensor failure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple analyte detection capabilities into a single integrated sensor system. By placing multiple active areas with different enzymes on one working electrode, the sensor achieves complete analyte profile detection. This integration reduces the number of independent components that could fail, thereby improving overall system reliability while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor utilizes a universal multi-functional design that enables a single device to detect multiple analytes. This approach increases reliability by eliminating the need for multiple separate sensors, each of which could independently fail. The unified sensor system ensures consistent performance across all analyte detections and reduces the statistical probability of system failure.
4Device complexity
If a single membrane is used for multi-analyte sensing, then sensor structure is simplified, but differing membrane permeability leads to significantly different sensitivities for multiple analytes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the local quality principle by implementing a membrane structure with spatially varying properties. The membrane contains different regions or layers with tailored permeability characteristics optimized for specific analytes. For example, certain membrane areas may be more permeable to glucose while other areas facilitate lactate or ketone transport. This local differentiation allows each active area to achieve optimal sensitivity for its target analyte while maintaining an overall simplified single-membrane structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes in the membrane structure to address sensitivity uniformity. By modifying membrane parameters such as thickness, porosity, or material composition in different regions, the sensor achieves uniform sensitivity across multiple analyte detection sites. This parameter optimization ensures that despite the simplified single-membrane design, each analyte experiences appropriate transport conditions for accurate and consistent measurement.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient, stable detection of multiple analytes with reduced sensor size and complexity, minimizing the risk of sensor failure and cost, while maintaining accurate analyte monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one active area comprises a first enzyme, a second enzyme, and a polymer
Implementation Method 2
the membrane may be permeable or semi-permeable to an analyte of interest and limit the overall analyte flux to the active area of the analyte sensor
Implementation Method 3
amperometric sensors configured for assaying glucose in vivo have been developed and refined over recent years
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2C
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Multiple enzymes may be present in the active area(s) of an electrochemical sensor to facilitate analysis of analytes. The multiple enzymes may function independently to detect several analytes or in concert to detect a single analyte. One configuration includes a first active area and a second active area, where the first active area has an oxidation-reduction potential that is sufficiently separated from the oxidation-reduction potential of the second active area to allow independent signal production. Some configurations may have an active area overcoated with a multi-component membrane containing two or more different membrane polymers. Sensor configurations having multiple enzymes capable of interacting in concert include those in which a first enzyme converts an analyte into a first product and a second enzyme converts the first product into a second product, thereby generating a signal at a working electrode that is proportional to the analyte concentration.